Coventry City’s new signing Youssef Safri is set to make his debut for the Sky Blues at Bradford on Friday night.

The Moroccan international midfielder completed his move to Highfield Road this week after receiving a work permit and could take his bow in the clash at Valley Parade.

City boss Gordon Strachan has confirmed that he will be in the squad for the crucial match against fellow relegated club Bradford City after the Sky Blues received clearance from the Department of Employment.

And the 24-year-old is expected to start after Strachan was extremely critical of his midfielders after Sunday’s defeat at home to Wolverhampton Wanderers.

Safri, who arrives at Highfield Road on the strong recommendation of former Coventry star and compatriot Moustapha Hadji, is looking forward to the hurly burly of English football.

He said:

“I am very happy to be in this country and very happy to be here at Coventry.

“I have seen quite a lot of English football and it is one of the most attractive games in the world.

“I am impressed with the power and the rhythm of the leagues in England and I hope I can prove my worth to the team and show what I can do.”

Safri also took advice from Youssef Chippo before making the move to Coventry and says he is looking forward to forging a partnership with his fellow countryman in midfield.

But Chippo’s disappointing performance against Wolves last week could mean he is the man to make way for Safri in the starting line-up.

Strachan, however, was keeping his cards close to his chest on team selection for tomorrow night.

He said:

“Youssef Safri will be in the squad tomorrow night and will play some part.

“He has two good feet, he can shoot and he has aggression. He is also in the habit of passing to his team-mates.”

Meanwhile, midfielder Paul Telfer is still mulling over a new contract at Highfield Road as he recovers from a broken leg.

And chairman Bryan Richardson has hinted that the Sky Blues are not willing to pay the Scottish international as much as he was earning as a Premiership player.

He said:

“We have made him an offer and Paul is thinking about it. There is a limit to how far we can go – salaries are huge and we have got to be careful.”

And the Sky Blues reserves lost to Southampton in their opening encounter of the season at Highfield Road last night.

Gary McSheffrey, Jairo Martinez and Laurent Delorge all failed to take opportunities allowing the Saints to run out 2-0 winners thanks to strikes from Scott McDonald and Adam Wallace.

COVENTRY RESERVES:
Gary Montgomery, Marc Edworthy, Tomas Antonelius, Craig Strachan, Barry Quinn, Calum Davenport, Laurent Delorge, Gavin Strachan, Jairo Martinez, Gary McSheffrey, Ivan Guerrero
Subs not used: Richard Spong, Per Fahlman,Craig Pead, Robert Betts, Mark Magennis